Let’s write a story – Chapter Six

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CHAPTER SIX

ZACH

Zach hunched over his workbench, sketching his vision for the hotel commission in yellow pencil. The muscles in his neck knotted, but he ignored their protests, determined to follow his creative muse as far as it would take him. He glanced at the cold furnace, glaring at him in silent protest.

“Don’t worry old man. I’ll get you out of storage as soon as I can.”

Since procuring a large oven at one of the neighboring glassblowing studios, Zach and Sierra agreed to terms for a six-month lease on her steel building, and he’d spent the last week preparing his studio for the move. Boxes of tools and small equipment lined the far wall, glass sticks were separated and wrapped, and large machines had been shut down. Everything waited for the professional movers, who he’d paid an exorbitant amount to squeeze him into their schedule on short notice.

Taking a red pencil, he shaded the drawing in different places, rubbing the pencil lines to blend the colors together. Another partially finished drawing lay across from him with smaller shapes of the pieces he’d be working on at Sierra’s.

“Ding ding, lunch is here.” Aunt Jenny swept into the studio through the back door, carrying a white bag and drink holder. “I got your favorite, club sandwich on wheat with mustard. Where do you want it?”

He pointed to the end of the workbench with his pencil. The fragrance of fresh bread made his stomach grumble, reminding him that he’d skipped breakfast.

“You’re an angel. You know that, right?” He planted a quick peck on her head as he sat on the bench next to the food.

She chuckled and unwrapped her turkey on rye. “I do what I can. How is the commission coming?”

“Good. It’s slowly revealing itself in my head; the rest will come to me when I can work with the glass.”

“We still on for tomorrow?”

The movers were scheduled to move the large equipment into her garage. “Yep. Thanks again…”

“If you thank me again, I’m going to take back my preserves. It’s my pleasure to help you out.”

Zach took a bite, focusing on the tang of mustard.

“Have you talked to Sierra recently?”

“Not in a few days. I’m taking my equipment there day after tomorrow. Why?”

“Just curious. She’s such a nice person, don’t you think?” Her nonchalant focus on her sandwich didn’t fool him for a minute.

“Sure.” He took another bite and then washed it down with his soft drink. He stared out the window where the day was turning cloudy.

“And she’s pretty too.” Aunt Jenny shot a quick glance at him.

He shrugged. “I guess.”

She stopped mid-bite. “What do you mean…? Oh, you. I can take a hint. Can I see your sketches?”

He grabbed the two sketches and held them out. She was the one person he had no qualms about showing off his work in progress.

“Oh, Zach, this is going to be outstanding. I cannot wait to see it come to life.”

“You and me both.” He went back to eating. “It’s looking a little dark out there. Are we expecting rain today?”

“Yes and possibly some storms tonight.”

“You head home before they hit.”

“I’m not scared of a little rain so I’ll finish having lunch with my favorite nephew.” They crunched in relative quiet for a few minutes. “Your dad called me. He’s concerned about you.”

The knots in Zach’s shoulders tightened. “He’s concerned that I haven’t come crawling to him begging for my corner office.”

She placed a hand on his arm. “He does love you in his own weird way.”

Out of respect for his aunt, Zach kept from rolling his eyes and took another bite to keep from answering. He’d deal with his father after the move.

A clap of thunder shook the building. Aunt Jenny jumped and placed a hand on her chest. “Goodness that was loud.” She wadded the sandwich wrapper. “Maybe I will head home.”

Zach helped her clean up and escorted her to her car just before thick raindrops plopped on the cement. He jogged back into the shop, waving as she drove away. “Lord, please keep her safe.”

Another clap of thunder a little farther away sounded across the building. Dark clouds from the front windows covered the front of the studio in shadows. Zach turned on the lamp next to the workbench. He looked up the weather report which showed a storm system coming through the area and heading toward Sierra’s farm. He decided to call her.

“Hello?” Sierra’s breathless voice made his heart skip a beat.

“It’s Zach. I see we’ve got some storms coming through. You guys doing okay? Do you need anything?”

The line was quiet. “Hello?”

“I’m here. Sorry. Give me just a second.” Muffled shuffles and a soft bang followed. “Sorry about that. We’re doing fine. Don’t worry about the steel building. It’s sturdy enough to stand up to these fall storms.”

Zach twisted the phone cord around his index finger. “I wasn’t concerned about that. I wanted to make sure you and the family were okay. And Reginald, of course.”

Her soft laugh floated through the line and around him. “I appreciate that. I’m just getting everything in the barn battened down before the storm hits. Noah’s in the house with my mom, getting ready to ride the storm out in the living room with a movie and popcorn.”

“A movie and popcorn on a stormy day. Sounds like my kind of party.”

“Um…”

“Not that I’m inviting myself or anything.” He’d become a blathering idiot. “I just wanted to check on you guys.”

“That was kind of you, Zach. We’re fine here. We’re still meeting day after tomorrow, right?”

“Definitely. I’ll see you then.” At her soft goodbye, he set the phone back on the handset and ran his hands through his hair. He stared at his sketch, pulling his thoughts away from the pretty brunette.

Itching to get his hands on some glass, he pulled out a blowtorch and worked on an extensively detailed design. Two hours passed as he immersed himself in the creative process. He studied a finished piece, which resembled an elongated snowflake. The room darkened as the power went out. Zach held the blowtorch like a flashlight, walking to the front windows. He located his penlight, turning off the torch and storing it away before grabbing the phone.

His aunt answered on the first ring.

“You doing alright?” He asked.

“Nice and snug. What about you?”

“I’ve lost power. Looks like it’s the whole street.”

“I’m good. It’s just a steady rain here, but the storm is heading out toward Sierra’s so you may want to check on her.”

Zach called Sierra next, hanging up when her voice mail kicked on. He paced a few times between the front windows and his workbench. After a second call, also going to voicemail, he hung up and grabbed his keys.

---

SIERRA

Sierra smiled to herself as the movie credits rolled on the screen. The fragrance of leftover buttered popcorn lingered in the air. Noah was curled up asleep on the end of the couch. Her mom had gone to her room shortly after they started the movie. Shadows danced across the room as rain pelted the roof, occasionally hitting the windows when the wind shifted. The temperature had dropped and she pulled the blanket over her shoulder. It was intimate and cozy. Her eyes drifted closed and thoughts of Zach filtered through her mind. She was afraid she was a little smitten with the glassblower.

A loud boom startled her awake. She threw the blanket off and jumped up. Noah, thankfully, stayed asleep. Sierra tiptoed to her mother’s room, opening the door and peeking in. The lump on her mom’s bed rose and fell regularly.

Back in the living room, she turned on a small lamp for Noah if he should wake up and turned off the TV. A crack sounded from outside followed by a crash and then the house was plunged into darkness.

“Power’s out,” she whispered and then felt her way to the kitchen where she kept the emergency flashlight.

As she made her way across the yard to the barn, she saw an oak tree branch lying across the perimeter fencing in front of the barn. Unlike the calm darkness in the house, the barn was filled with shuffles and high-pitched squeaking. Sierra stepped inside and turned on the emergency lantern near the door. Holding it high, she surveyed the animals. Reg stuck his head out of the stall. She stroked his neck before checking on the rest of the herd. A few of her newer moms huddled close to their babies. She murmured to the alpacas that were more sensitive to storms and loud noises.

As she counted heads, a flash of light shined across the yard from a vehicle pulling into the driveway. She strode to the entrance to see Zach step out of his Jeep.

“What are you doing here?” she asked when he stepped inside the barn.

He ran his hand through his wet hair, slinging droplets on the ground. “I lost power and saw the storm was heading toward you. I called, but kept getting voicemail.” He absently patted Reg on the neck.

“The power just went out and I left my phone on the charger in my room.” She went back to counting the herd.

“Everyone accounted for?” Zach asked.

Sierra gripped the lantern handle doing a third check. “No, one’s missing.” She stepped into the pen. A tuft of alpaca fiber hung on a partially open gate. She pulled the gate closed with a heavy click and then shined the light across the yard lighting the large tree branch lying across the fencing.

“What can I do?” Zach asked.

Sierra stepped into the yard. “Would you check the other side of the downed tree?”

The steady rain beat as she bounced her light back and forth, praying for a glimpse of white fluff.

“Over here.” Zach called from the other side of the fallen tree. When she reached him, he pointed the beam at the downed fence with another tuft of alpaca fiber. “Looks like it got out of the fencing too. Any idea where it would go?”

“She couldn’t have gotten too far. Let’s start with that group of trees.” Thunder rumbled in the distance and the rain slowed. Thankfully the storm was passing.

They stepped through the row of trees separating the house from the steel building and stopped. The only sound was the light patter of raindrops on the leaves, and subsequent falling to the ground. A low squeak caught Sierra’s attention and she held her breath. Then she heard a low hum. Her heart pounded as she took deliberate steps toward the sounds.

Zach pointed through the branches and she spotted a white blur. The alpaca stood between two trees, stepping back and forth as if pacing.

Sierra murmured and clicked softly, getting its attention and slowly got close enough to throw a rope around its neck.

“Gotcha,” she whispered. “I got you, girl.”

Zach walked on the other side of the alpaca, flanking it. “Looks like you got some fence damage.”

Sierra sighed. Another cost in her long list. “Yeah, I’ll have to open up the other field for the herd to stay until I get it fixed.”

“I’m pretty handy with a chainsaw. I can borrow one and take care of that branch if you’d like.”

A lump formed in her throat at his generous offer. “I appreciate that.”

They got the alpaca back with the herd. Zach tugged his shirt away from his chest and shook water out of his hair. Sierra laughed nervously and tore her gaze away from him.

Reg stuck his head out and hummed.

“At least it wasn’t Reg escaping again.” Zach patted him.

Sierra laughed. “Thank goodness. Reg would have treated it as a game of hide and seek. Let’s dry off in the house. I need to check on mom and Noah.”

They went into the dark house. Noah and her mom were still asleep. Sierra led Zach into the kitchen where she set a candle up on the table.

She grabbed a few towels from the hall closet and handed some to Zach before sitting on a chair across from him. She put one towel over her shoulder, drying her hair.

He roughly rubbed his hair leaving it sticking up in all directions as he dried his chest.

“Thanks for helping me.”

“You’re welcome.”

They stared at each other and Sierra giggled.

Zach frowned. “What?”

“I’m sorry. Your hair is sticking up.”

He ran his hands over his head. “Better?”

“Sure, but um… you still have…”

He brushed it again, missing one piece that stuck up on the top of his head, reminding her of Noah when he first got out of bed in the morning.

“Let me.” She stretched across the table and he leaned forward. She patted the stray strand into place. His gaze caught hers and she watched the candlelight reflecting in his eyes.

“Sierra.”

Her whispered name from his lips resounded deep in her chest and her heartbeat sped up.

“Aunt See, it’s dark.”

Sierra jerked back as Noah who shuffled over to her. She shifted to pull him onto her lap, stroking his hair as he laid his head on her shoulder, eyeing Zach.

“Mr. Zach. We watched movies and ate popcorn.” Noah’s voice was slow with muted excitement.

“So I heard.” Zach looked from Noah to Sierra and winked. She ducked her head, heat flooding her face which, thankfully, he couldn’t see in the shadows.

A crunch of tires sounded from outside the house. Sierra sat straighter.

“You expecting someone?” Zach asked, setting his towel on the table.

“No, but it’s probably someone from the utility company because of the power outage.”

Two doors slammed. Sierra set Noah on the floor. “Why don’t you keep Mr. Zach company?”

Zach slid his chair away from the table. “Noah, would you keep me company so I don’t get scared?”

Noah shuffled over to him and took his hand. “You don’t have to be scared, Mr. Zach.”

Zach patted him on the shoulder. “Thanks, buddy.”

Sierra stepped out of the kitchen as the front door opened.

“Hey everyone? No lights here either? We had to drive through the storm in our rental car.” Her sister’s voice broke through the darkness.

Sierra’s heart bounced then dropped to her toes. She turned her flashlight toward the entryway. Sylvia patted her travel hat against her jean clad thighs, water dropping on her hiking boots. A tall man in a tailored overcoat stood behind her, frowning as he glanced around.

“Farm girl! It’s been forever!” Sylvia grabbed Sierra in a hug, smothering the light between them.

“Mommy?”

Her sister stepped back, eyes brightening when she saw Noah. “Yes, baby. Oh my, look how big you’ve gotten.” She swooped low, grasping him into a big hug and rubbing his head. Noah wiggled out of the hug, smoothing his hair and frowning at her. Sylvia appeared unperturbed.

Sierra tried not to take pleasure in Noah’s reaction. She caught Zach staring at her from the doorway but his expression was shaded.

“And who are you?” Her sister noticed Zach.

“Zach Meadows. I’m a friend of Sierra’s.”

“A friend?” She shot a sly glance at Sierra. “How interesting. I’m Sylvia. You’re not a farmer as well, are you?” Her laughter trilled through the air sending Sierra’s nerves on edge. “I’m kidding. Farming’s good, right sis?”

Sierra ignored her sister’s pointed look. “Sylvia is Noah’s mom.”

She inclined her head to the man hovering near the front door focused on his cell phone. “And who is your friend?”

Sylvia looped her arm through his, stroking the crisp sleeve of his jacket. “Sierra, this is my fiancé Julian. He’s a Senior Captain. He usually flies long international routes, but I convinced him to make a quick stop here before the wedding.”

Julian smiled tightly and held out his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Sylvia talks about you and your farm quite often. It’s…interestingly rustic.”

Sierra returned his firm handshake with a dry laugh. “We aren’t off the grid. The storm just knocked out our power.”

“Sylvie, is that you?” Sierra’s mom rounded the corner. The perpetual frown on her face daily was replaced with a joyful smile.

“Mom, you must be starved for people living out here at the farm.”

“It’s awful, isn’t it? How I wish I could travel with you.” The two embraced. “But you’re here now. Let me look at you.”

Zach touched Sierra’s elbow. “I should go.”

“Must you?” She asked him in a low whisper, shocked that the words escaped so easily.

“You need me to stay?” He searched her face.

“I’m kidding. I’ll see you day after tomorrow.”

Noah grabbed Zach’s hand. “You’re coming back tomorrow, Mr. Zach?”

“The day after that. Me and your aunt need to talk about some stuff, and maybe you can help me with some measurements while I’m here.” He leaned in closer to Sierra. “Let me know if you need anything before then.”

He glanced at her sister and mother who were still gushing over each other as Julian stood stoically watching them. “Even if it’s just a break.”

She watched him go, wishing she had an excuse for him to stay.

“Aunt See? What’s mommy doing here?” While Sierra hadn’t told him of Sylvia’s imminent arrival, the wobbly tension in the boy’s voice told her he was scared of her answer.

“What am I doing here? Sierra, didn’t you tell him?” She squatted in front of Noah. “We’re going to be a family again, baby. You’re coming to live with me and your new daddy.”

The air left Sierra’s lungs. Her hands tightened on Noah’s shoulders and she pulled him against her legs. How was she going to stop Sylvia from tearing apart her family?

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Okay, readers, what happens next? Comment below.

Wow, we have a lot going on! Let’s take a breather and have some fun. 🙂

What can Zach and Noah make out of glass?

What do we do with Sylvia and Julian while they visit?

Chapter Five